Anyone who’s been to the “World” as often as we have is sure to have developed personal favorites. Favorite restaurants, resorts, parade spots, evening activities, and of course, rides! What better way to get to know my family than learning about those rides that we can’t get enough of. Let’s start at the most obvious of the four parks – where each of our visits begins and ends – the Magic Kingdom and our youngest Mouseketeers.
G has been to Disney World twice in his first two years and once since. T has been once and has experienced just as much as most adults who visit. That’s one of the magical things about these parks, there are so few rides with height restrictions that little guys rarely get left out (big brother doesn’t miss out either with the help of rider swap – but more on that later). They can ride in your laps – aiming for the targets on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, take naps in the cool darkness of the Haunted Mansion, even drive (not very well) their very own race car on the Tomorrowland Speedway. And while G was finally able to graduate to the mountains on his last visit – their kingdom experiences have been far from lacking.
This park is definitely a favorite, and our favorite for the littlest visitors. There are so many excitingly thematic rides and elaborately detailed wonders around every turn, how can a little guy like him not be filled with excitement from rope drop to the ‘Kiss Goodnight’. Without a doubt, from the time G was 10 months old, the height of his visits has been “It’s a Small World” and T was no different on his first trip. I mean, c’mon. The bright colors, the catchy music, the dolls that are just their size, what’s not to love? We have videos of G from his very first visit, sitting on the edge of our knees, head on a swivel, checking out as many details as his little neck would let him, all the while bouncing and dancing to the tune that he will officially never forget. From throwing coins into the seemingly never-ending wishing well, to playing eye-spy in each culturally themed room, we cannot get through a day in MK without riding It’s a Small World at least twice – guaranteed to leave that catchy tune in all of our heads for the duration of our stay. Good news is that the line is fast moving, even on the busiest of days, and with such a central location in Fantasy Land there is plenty to look at while you weave through the chains. (Magic Mom Moment – stock up on pennies for this ride as there is even water access from the queue – easy way to entertain the little’s while you wait. Also, keep an eye on the flowers in the “Good-bye” room. Disney magic recently began linking them with rider’s magic bands to add a little pixie dust to your adventure.)
Another Magic Kingdom favorite for tiny friends is undoubtedly Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. Even if they don’t fully understand the story itself, with the brilliant details it is hard to believe that you are not actually riding that clam shell into the deep blue sea. This ride does a phenomenal job of incorporating everyone’s favorite details from the story of the Little Mermaid, with each character getting attention. This is a newer ride in the Kingdom and the animatronics make that obvious – there are times that even I feel like Ariel and Flounder might just stop dancing to Sebastian’s smooth tunes and swim away like they do in the iconic film so it is easy to see why a little guys are mesmerized by this ride. This ride can definitely carry a lengthy line, however it was one of the first to incorporate a more interactive queue, so Scuttle’s seagull friends do their best at entertaining you while you wait without a Fast Pass. An added bonus, most of the weaving happens indoors so that air conditioning can make it worth it on those hot Florida days. (Magic Mom Moment – don’t forget to stop by and visit the mermaid herself. Ariel’s grotto is right next door!)
Speaking of excellently designed queue’s, the last MK Top 3 for tykes takes us to the Hundred Acre Woods. Now full disclosure, during G’s first visit (at age 10 months) this was decidedly NOT a top 3, let alone a top 10. It takes you on an exciting ride into the world of Pooh and his friends on what is at times a very blustery day, complete with Hephalumps, Woozles, black lights, and tiggerific bounces all of which gave my mini quite a fright. That said, 23 month old G and 4 year old T had a much different opinion. One of the most creative features of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is its expertly designed queue. From the moment you begin your weave there are so many hands on activities to keep even the biggest kids entertained while they wait. A visit in Rabbit’s garden provides the setting for a tunnel made of crates, bongo’s designed to look like vegetables, and a roller coaster of bumble bees that is so hard to resist. (Get that hand sanitizer ready mama’s) A littler closer to the ride itself is an interactive wall of honey where riders of all ages can use the power of touch to find their favorite friends, or read along with the many oversize story book pages that cover the ceilings and walls. Even the ride itself now makes them squeal with excitement. More than once we hear a request for a ride in the ‘honey pot’ making this an obvious favorite. (Magic Mom Moment – this is a great ride to use one of those late afternoon ‘extra’ fast passes on. Keep an eye on your MyDisneyExperienceApp to see what times are available once you’ve used your original three. Also – be on the lookout for a blast from our past as Mr. Toad makes an appearance on this ride that took his place. Now that’s magic!!)
Disney Wife - Happy Life! 